Decorating using mirrors is a simple way to quickly create the illusion that a place is larger and brighter since they reflect light throughout a room. Heavy mirrors, though, can be scary to hang. Mirrors are a difficulty for drywall and plaster walls because they are large and heavy while still being sturdy and fragile. Most brand-new mirrors come with mounting hardware, but it is important to take great consideration when choosing the right installation hardware (the screws, bolts, and anchors that fasten into the wall). Use the following guidance on how to hang a hefty mirror safely to update your space while safeguarding your walls and decor after assessing your wall type and selecting the appropriate materials.
How to Hang a Heavy Mirror
Set yourself up for success by using the appropriate equipment and precise measurements. Gather the vital information required to choose the ideal installation hardware for a mirror's hanging, and after that.
You Will Need
Note: Depending on the wall anchors you choose to use, you may require different tools.
- Pencil
- Level
- Measuring tape
- Painters tape
- Stud finder or multifunction stud finder
- Screwdriver
- Drill
- Hammer
- Wall anchors
- A helper to assist with lifting, measuring, and mounting the mirror
Step 1: Determine the Mirror Weight and Mounting Hardware
The weight of a mirror can be found in the product specifications or by weighing the mirror on a bathroom scale. Mounting hardware is often provided with new sales. Look for brackets, wire, clips, or D-rings (also known as French cleats) that are affixed to the back or are part of the purchase. You must first install your mirror if it doesn't already have mounting hardware.
Step 2: Know Your Wall Type
Compared to many older homes, newly constructed or recently renovated homes typically have drywall walls. Try driving a thumbtack into the wall to determine the type you have. Plaster will resist the tack's penetration but drywall will not. Another type of wall you can encounter that will influence how you hang a mirror is masonry, such as brick.
Step 3: Identify Studs and Potential Obstacles
Choose the location for the mirror and mark the corners or edges using painters tape or a pencil before hanging it. Additionally, it will assist you in picturing the mirror in the space. Use a multipurpose stud finder to find any studs, pipes, or wires in the vicinity after that. For hanging a large mirror, studs can be useful, but be careful not to drill through pipes or screw into live wires. It's best to anchor at least one screw into a stud for really heavy mirrors, so now is a good moment to reevaluate if the suggested location would work.
Step 4: Make the Mirror Level
A hefty mirror hanging unevenly could exert pressure that causes the fasteners to fail, perhaps leading to a lot of broken glass and a significant hole in the wall. This pressure is in addition to the fact that a crooked mirror looks ugly. A mirror must be leveled using measurements. Use painters tape to measure and mark the top of the mirror, and then use a level to check that the line is straight. Mark the center of the painters tape as well because you'll need to use it as a reference when you mark the locations of the wall anchors and screws. It's crucial to level the measurement between the mounting points when transferring installation dimensions to the wall.
Tips for Leveling Different Kinds of Hardware
Brackets: The easiest mounting gear to level is this kind. Measure the length of the bracket as well as the distance from the top of the mirror to it. Apply those dimensions to the wall. When it's time to install, put the middle screw in first to secure the piece, then level it before adding the remaining screws.
D-ring or keyholes: Measure the distance between the top of the mirror and the top of the D-ring or keyhole if there are any. Following that, gauge the separation between the two mounting locations. Particular attention should be paid to the leveling of the two mounting locations when projecting these measurements onto the wall.
Wire: Since you must choose the mounting sites yourself, measuring for wire is a little more difficult. To better disperse the weight, we propose two points. Determine two locations on the wire that will evenly distribute the pressure across the wire when the mirror is leaning against a wall or lying face down. Then, raise the wire up until it is taut. For a large mirror, start at around 12 inches (the length of a typical ruler), and then modify from there. You don't want them to be too close together. Once you've located the two spots, take measurements of their separation as well as the distance between the taut wire and the mirror's top. Please ensure that the two mounting locations are level before transferring these dimensions to the wall.
Hanging a Big Mirror on Various Wall Types
Even though it's preferred, studs aren't always located exactly where you want them to be when hanging a large object from a wall. Instead, fasten a large mirror to the wall using wall anchors. The two main considerations in choosing the proper wall anchor are the mirror's weight and the type of wall it is hanging on. It's wise to pick a fastener that can support more weight than is necessary. The majority of fastener packaging will provide information on the product's weight capacity, the type of wall it should be used on, and installation instructions (including the drill bit size, if necessary).
On an anchored screw, D-rings, keyholes, and wire-mounted mirrors can all be hung. Just keep in mind to leave an inch or so sticking out. On the other hand, screws cannot be installed until brackets are in place.
A Heavy Mirror on Drywall: How to Hang It
You will only need a 114-inch screw or a 158-inch screw for solid mounting through 12-inch drywall if you are screwing into a stud. You need drywall anchors that can support your mirror's weight when hanging a large mirror on drywall without the help of a stud. Sleeve expansion anchors may be a good option for lighter weights. Drill a pilot hole, insert the anchor, and tap, screw, or fasten it flush against the wall to complete the installation. The anchor will expand and wedge firmly into the wall when the screw is threaded into it using a drill or screwdriver. Self-drilling drywall anchors function similarly but may support larger loads and can be installed without drilling a pilot hole.
Hollow wall anchors that also function on drywall include toggle and molly bolts. For the heaviest objects on both drywall and plaster, goggles are advised.
How to Plaster a Heavy Mirror
A 3-inch screw will probably be sufficient if you are screwing into a stud. By doing this, the screw penetrates 1 inch of plaster and 2 inches into the stud. The best option for hanging a heavy mirror on plaster without a stud is a hollow wall anchor that expands and fastens beneath the plaster wall. The length of the hollow wall anchor is crucial because the bolt needs to reach beyond the wall so it can expand behind it in addition to choosing the appropriate weight capacity.
A medium-weight hollow wall anchor is a molly bolt. Drill a pilot hole before tapping the entire bolt—including the sleeve and the screw—into the opening until flush with the wall. To enlarge the anchor, tighten the wall bolt. After completely tightening the bolt, you can loosen it up a little to make room to hang the mirror. The strongest wall anchor on the market is a metal toggle bolt. Drill a small pilot hole first, then thread the toggle onto the bolt with the wings facing the wall (not away from it). Through the pilot hole, push the toggle (with its wings folded down). Once inside, the wings will spread. To fasten the wings against the wall, pull the bolt in your direction. The wings are tightened by screwing the bolt into position.
A Heavy Mirror: How to Mount It on Brick and Other Surfaces
When mounting a large mirror on brick, much like on plaster and drywall, a wall anchor is necessary. For truly hefty dcor, consider masonry sleeve anchors or plastic sleeve anchors that are suitable for masonry. In contrast to the other materials, brick installation calls for a few more specialized instruments, such as a hammer drill and masonry drill bits.
Similar to this, be mindful of the materials required to drill through a surface like tile or beadboard and the type of wall behind it if you plan to hang a heavy mirror on it. Ceramic tiles won't crack as you drill a hole for an anchor if you use a glass and ceramic drill bit, for instance.
How to Hang a Mirror Without a Frame
Mirror clips that are attached to the top and bottom of many frameless mirrors are used (and sometimes along the sides). You can purchase a set of clips for a mirror, but a brand-new purchase would probably come with its own hardware. Just be certain that the mirror thickness corresponds to the clip thickness. There is some variety in the shape, materials, and finishes available for mirror clips, some of which are intended to be seen around the mirror's edges.
Set the frameless mirror in place, level it, and mark the top and bottom corners. If the manufacturer's instructions are available, follow them. Alternatively, mark the areas 2.5 inches in from the top and bottom corners, where the outside clips will go. Slide the mirror in after you have installed the bottom clips, then the top clips.
If you're unsure of where to place the clips or how many to use, see if a comparable item that is currently on sale at a home improvement store can help. You can use the instructions and mounting hardware that are frequently available online with these new products to get an idea of how to attach your own mirror.
